What it means
One of the four first-line drugs for active tuberculosistoo-ber-kyoo-LOH-sisAn infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most often attacks the lungs.tubercul/o small swelling-osis abnormal conditionFull entry , given with isoniazid, rifampin and pyrazinamidepeer-uh-ZIN-uh-mideAn oral antitubercular drug used for the first 2 months of treatment for active tuberculosis.Full entry at the start of treatment. Its main toxic effect is on the optic nerve, causing blurred vision and loss of red-green color vision, which usually improves when it is stopped.
For the nurse
Check vision (sharpness and red-green color) before starting and regularly during treatment, and teach the client to report any change in vision at once. It is used with care in young children who cannot report vision changes.
At a glance
| Drug class | antitubercular agent |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Myambutol |
| Also written | Myambutol |
Related terms
pulmonary tuberculosis
Tuberculosis of the lungs, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
streptomycin
An aminoglycoside antibiotic given by injection, used mainly for tuberculosis and a few rare infections.
pyrazinamide
An oral antitubercular drug used for the first 2 months of treatment for active tuberculosis.